Game Day Build-Up: Senators vs Crunch – February 21, 2022

Presented by Carpenters Union Local 397

The Set-Up:

It’s Family Day at CAA Arena and the Belleville Senators continue a stretch of four games in five days, as they welcome the Syracuse Crunch for a matinee matchup. The Senators long weekend began with a pair of wins over the Toronto Marlies on Friday (4-3) and Saturday (5-4 OT), and continues with a pair of games against another divisional rival. The Crunch come into today’s game having won back-to-back contests, with points in five of their last seven games (four wins and one overtime loss). The Senators have also won two games in a row, and are just ahead of the Crunch in the AHL North Division standings by winning percentage, holding on to the division’s fifth playoff spot.

Previous History:

Today’s game is meeting number five-of-eight in the season series, with each team picking up a pair of wins so far. Belleville has beaten Syracuse 3-2 on the road and 4-3 at home, while losing 2-1 at Upstate Medical University Arena and falling 4-2 in their last meeting at CAA Arena. Lifetime against Syracuse, the Senators are 9-11-1-1, with a 7-4-0-0 mark at home.

Roster Notes:

Head Coach Troy Mann has confirmed that Mads Sogaard will start in net for Belleville, after Kevin Mandolese earned the win in Toronto on Saturday. There shouldn’t be much further change to the lineup from the weekend, with more information on tonight’s roster set to be released ahead of puck drop.

Who to Watch:

Mark Kastelic continued his hot return from the NHL, notching another goal and an assist in Toronto on Saturday. The Phoenix, Arizona native is now on a three-game point streak (three goals, one assist). Senators leading scorer Egor Sokolov is also on a three-game point streak (four goals, no assists), while Belleville Captain Logan Shaw has had at least a point in his last six games (three goals, four assists). Defenceman Lassi Thomson has also been chipping in with some consistent offence, putting up eight points (one goal, seven assists) as part of a five-game point streak.

The Crunch offence has been led lately by Gabriel Fortier (one goal, three assists) and Charles Hudon (three goals, no assists), who each have three game point streaks. Syracuse also has six players with points in back-to-back games, including Gabriel Dumont (two goals, two assists). Dumont also has seven points in his last six games played (five goals, two assists).

Follow the action:

Today’s game starts at 3:00 p.m. ET and can be heard on the Belleville Sens Official Broadcast Partner 800 AM CJBQ, with Jack Miller and David Foot (Broadcast time is 2:50 p.m.). The game can also be streamed live on AHL TV.

Don’t forget to download the Belleville Senators app before game time and follow the Sens social media (@BellevilleSens) for updates.

Ticket info:

Capacity at CAA Arena for today’s game is limited to 50% (or 2,200 fans), due to the Ontario Government guidelines aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19, but tickets are available via Ticketmaster or the CAA Arena Box Office (open today 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.).

Tickets for further Belleville Sens home games this season can be purchased through the same methods. Season Ticket Memberships and Flex Packs are also available with more information available at bellevillesens.com.

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